Intel’s Answer to AMD X3D Leaked: Nova Lake “bLLC” CPUs Pack Up To 38% More Cache Than Ryzen 9950X3D2

Intel Nova Lake-S "bLLC" cache configurations have been detailed, revealing a maximum of 288 MB of cache for next-gen desktop CPUs.

Intel Nova Lake-S Desktop CPUs Will Feature Up To 288 MB of bLLC Cache, 80 MB More Than 9950X3D2

Once again, more Nova Lake-S CPU details have been revealed by Jaykihn, this time focusing on the bLLC parts. While we know that the bLLC or Big Last Level Cache die variants will feature up to 144 MB in single and 288 MB in dual tile configurations, the insider has spilled the beans on the max caches of each bLLC CPU.

So starting with the die configurations, Intel's Nova Lake Desktop CPUs consist of five primary dies, which feature single compute tile and dual compute tile flavors. The dual compute tile variants are labeled as "DS" and will cover the enthusiast models.

The most entry-level die is an 8C flavor with 4 P-Cores and 4 LPE cores. This is followed by the 16C flavor with 4 P-Cores, 8 E-Cores, and 4 LPE Cores. Next are two 28C flavors, which feature 8 P-Cores, 16 E-Cores, and 4 LPE Cores. One of these models is based on the standard design, while the second packs 'bLLC" or big LLC (Last Level Cache). These bLLC variants are Intel's answer to AMD's X3D CPUs, though they aren't based on the same die stacking technology as AMD's offerings.

The dual compute tile "DS" variants only include one configuration with a 52C model that features two dies, each with 8 P-Cores and 16 E-Cores. The 4 LPE cores remain intact and don't see a doubling since they aren't on the compute tile.

We know from previous reports that the single compute tile 'bLLC" models will feature 144 MB cache, while the dual compute tile 'bLLC" models will feature 288 MB cache. The standard compute tile will measure 98mm2 while the bLLC compute tile will measure 154mm2.

Intel Nova Lake-S Desktop CPU Die Configurations:

Die Config	Variant	Core Config	LPE Cores	Cache	CPU PCIe Lanes	GPU Cores
8C	Single Compute Tile	4P+0E	4LPE	Standard	24 Gen5	2 Xe3
16C	Single Compute Tile	4P+8E	4LPE	Standard	24 Gen5	2 Xe3
28C	Single Compute Tile	8P+16E	4LPE	Standard	24 Gen5	2 Xe3
28C	Single Compute Tile	8P+16E	4LPE	bLLC "Big LLC"	24 Gen5	2 Xe3
52C	Dual Compute Tile	2x 8P+16E	4LPE	bLLC "Big LLC"	24 Gen5	2 Xe3

Now for the SKUs, Intel will be using the aforementioned Nova Lake dies to form its Core Ultra Series 4 Desktop lineup. Currently, the lineup is expected to include at least 13 models, which range from Core Ultra 9, Core Ultra 7, Core Ultra 5, and Core Ultra 3 flavors. Intel also has an even higher-tier planned for its 52C die variants, which include a 52-core and 44-core model.

These enthusiast models will feature a TDP of up to 175W. The rest of the lineup scales from 35W to 125W. The entry-level Core Ultra 3 and Core Ultra 5 models will feature 35W TDPs with up to 65W in power-unlocked models. The standard lineup will feature 125W TDPs with certain 65W power-optimized variants. There will also be "F" models in the lineup with an iGPU-less design. Talking about the iGPU, all Intel Nova Lake CPUs will feature 2 Xe3 cores, but there are plans to introduce a higher-end iGPU on one of the Nova Lake SKUs.

Intel Nova Lake-S Desktop CPU SKUs (Preliminary via Videocardz & Jaykihn):

Model	Product ID	Cores	Core Config	Cache Layout	Total Cache	TDP/cTDP
Core Ultra X?	P3DX	52 Cores	2x 8P+16E+(4LPE)	bLLC "Big LLC"	288 MB	175W
Core Ultra X?	P2DX	44 Cores	2x 8P+12E+(4LPE)	bLLC "Big LLC"	264 MB	175W
Core Ultra 9	P2D	28 Cores	8P+16E+4LPE	bLLC "Big LLC"	144 MB	125W
Core Ultra 9	P2K	28 Cores	8P+16E+4LPE	Standard	36 MB	125W/65W
Core Ultra 9	P2	22 Cores	6P+12E+4LPE	bLLC "Big LLC"	108 MB	65W
Core Ultra 7	P1D	24 Cores	8P+12E+4LPE	bLLC "Big LLC"	132 MB	125W
Core Ultra 7	P1K	24 Cores	8P+12E+4LPE	Standard	33 MB	125W/65W
Core Ultra 7	P1	16 Cores	4P+8E+4LPE	Standard	18 MB	65W/35W
Core Ultra 5	MS2K/MS2KF	22 Cores	6P+12E+4LPE	Standard	27 MB	125W/65W
Core Ultra 5	MS2	12 Cores	4P+4E+4LPE	Standard	15 MB	65W/35W
Core Ultra 5	MS1	8 Cores	4P+0E+4LPE	Standard	12 MB	65W/35W
Core Ultra 3	T1	6 Cores	2P+0E+4LPE	Standard	6 MB	65W/35W

Jaykihn discloses cache details of five SKUs, which were already covered in a previous article. These include two SKUs with dual compute tiles and three SKUs with single compute tiles. The SKUs along with their maximum caches are listed below:

• Core Ultra X (52 Cores) - 288 MB
• Core Ultra X (44 Cores) - 264 MB
• Core Ultra 9 (28 Cores) - 144 MB
• Core Ultra 7 (24 Cores) - 132 MB
• Core Ultra 9 (22 Cores) - 108 MB

The dual compute tile SKUs will be Intel's answer to AMD's dual 3D V-Cache models, such as the Ryzen 9 9950X3D2, which is launching next week with 208 MB of cache. The 264 MB Nova Lake SKU will offer 27% more cache, while the 288 MB Nova Lake SKU will offer 38% more cache. AMD is also likely to pack more cache in its future X3D CPUs, so it looks like we are going to see some insane cache counts on consumer desktop platforms from both camps.

So what does this all mean? Well, looking at the specifications and configurations for Nova Lake Desktop CPUs, it looks like Intel is all set for a huge comeback on the desktop platform. This means that AMD will be even more prepared with its next-gen Ryzen offerings.

And that means that we are in for an epic showdown between the two chipmakers when their next-gen CPUs land on retail shelves. There is still quite a bit of road ahead for both Intel and AMD to cover before we get to see the next-gen CPUs in action. We are likely going to see some hints, teasers, concepts, and more official details throughout 2026, but these will be exciting for PC hardware enthusiasts, and hopefully for budget audiences too, who want the current PC crisis to end as soon as possible to give them time to prepare for newer upgrades.

AMD Olympic Ridge vs Intel Nova Lake-S:

CPUs	Intel Core Ultra 400	AMD Ryzen 10000?
Family	Nova Lake-S	Olympic Ridge
Architecture	Coyote Cove (P-Core) Arctic Wolf (E/LP Core)	Zen 6
CPU Process	TSMC N2P	TSMC N2P
Core Count (Max)	52	24
Thread Count (Max)	52	48
Max P-Cores	16	24
Max E-Cores	32	N/A
Max LP-E Cores	4	N/A
Max Cache (L2+L3)	160-320 MB	96 MB L3
Max bLLC Cache	144-288 MB	64 MB per stack?
DDR5 (1DPC 1R)	8000 MT/s CUDIMM - Yes	7200 MT/s? CUDIMM - Yes
PCIe 5.0 Lanes (Max)	36	TBD
PCIe 4.0 Lanes (Max)	16	TBD
Socket Support	LGA 1954	AM5
Max TDP (PL1)	125-175W	125W+
Max Power	~700W (Dual) ~350W (Single)	TBD
Launch	2H 2026	2H 2026

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